And there were 4: the Conference Championships

The conference championship schedule is set. The Baltimore Ravens will face the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will play the San Francisco 49ers. The prize for next week's winners? A trip to Indianapolis for XLVI.

How they got hereNew England dismantled Denver Saturday, 45-10, although it wasn't that close. Tom Brady threw for six touchdowns -- five in the first half -- and the much-maligned Patriots defense shut down Tim Tebow after his career performance against the Steelers the week before.

How will they get to the Super Bowl?The offensive line continues to keep Brady clean, and he continues to wear out defenses with some combination of the aforementioned Welker, Gronkowski and Hernandez. But the Ravens aren't the Broncos; they're one of the best units in the league and they're not intimidated by the Pats' high-powered offense. In 2009, Baltimore went to New England in the AFC wild-card round, roughed up Brady, and left Foxboro with a 33-14 victory. The difference in this game will likely come down to the Pats' O vs. the Ravens' D.

Their biggest weaknessNew England's defense has been a punchline for much of the season but has come together recently. Head coach Bill Belichick was beaming after the Broncos victory, presumably because the cast of characters on the defensive side of the ball (many in the secondary either undrafted free agents, acquired via the waiver wire, or both) played near flawless football against the Broncos. The Ravens and Joe Flacco have struggled all season with consistency but they have a capable down-the-field passing attack that compliments Ray Rice's dual-threat skills nicely. If the Patriots' defense shows up, the game won't be close; if they don't, it could be a repeat of the 2009 playoff game.

How they got hereJumped out to a 17-3 lead against the Texans and then held on for dear life as Houston's rookie quarterback committed critical turnovers at key points. Quarterback Joe Flacco had another uneven performance (14 of 27 for 176 yards, 2 TDs) but some of that can be blamed on one of the offensive line's worst efforts of the season. Anquan Boldin looked sharp after missing the end of the regular season with an injury (4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD) and Ray Rice had a quiet 21-carries-for-61-yards afternoon that kept drives alive and the Texans' D on the field. Baltimore forced four turnovers, including three T.J. Yates interceptions.

How will they get to the Super Bowl? The defense will have to have its best game of the season against Brady, who is peaking. The problem is that Baltimore's secondary can be exploited, especially if the front seven can't mount a pass rush. The Ravens will have to out-scheme New England's offensive line and create pressure with four and five rushers, and force Brady to get rid of the ball early.

Offensively, Flacco will need to step up, avoid silly mistakes, and Cam Cameron needs to be reminded (again) that Rice is his best weapon.

Their biggest weaknessFlacco's inconsistency. The fourth-year quarterback has flashed glimpses of franchise potential, but he's usually taking sacks, throwing inexplicable interceptions, or misfiring on wide-open targets. Historically, he's played well in the playoffs, which is good news, as is the fact that the Titans, Jaguars, Seahawks or Chargers didn't qualify for the postseason.

Who's hot?Boldin looks five years younger, safety Ed Reed is ailing but is playing like it's 2004, cornerback Lardarius Webb had two picks against Yates, and punter Sam Koch might be the most underrated player in the NFL right now.

How they got hereThe 49ers beat the Saintsat their own game: they forced turnovers and then turned them into points. Embattled quarterback Alex Smith had to wait almost seven years, but he's finally playing like a first-round draft pick, and he out Drew Brees-ed Drew Brees during the final four minutes of Saturday's Divisional game. Tight end Vernon Davis had a ginormous afternoon, hauling in the game-winning touchdown with seconds left and ending up with seven receptions for 180 yards and two scores.

How will they get to the Super Bowl? One word: defense. They took the Saints, a team that looked unstoppable the last month of the season, out of their rhythm, smacking pass-catchers, runners and the quarterback in the mouth in the process. But this wasn't a fluke performance; Vic Fangio's unit has played like that all year long. They're a slobber-knocking, sack-happy, ball-hawking bunch and their closing speed and physicality keep the 49ers in every game. (Thanks, Mike Nolan!)

Their biggest weaknessCan Smith sustain his success? We've starting calling Jim Harbaugh the Quarterback Whisperer because what he's done with Smith is worthy of a show on the National Geographic channel. But at this stage of the proceedings, all it takes is one ill-time throw to ruin a team's Super Bowl hopes. Given that the 49ers haven't had a winning record -- or a playoff appearance -- since 2002, there are worse problems to have.

How they got hereEli Manning was clinical and the defense forced four turnovers and registered four sacks. The Packerslooked like they were having flashbacks from the Chiefs game, the receivers dropped eight passes, and the defense continued their Season of Ineptitude Tour made all the more inexplicable given that they were one of the league's top units in 2010.

How will they get to the Super Bowl?New York will have to go through the 49ers -- in San Francisco -- and mistake-free football will be at a premium. That means that offensive line has to protect Manning, he has to make great decisions, and everybody has to keep two hands on the football at all times. Because the 49ers' defense will swarm and strip, in that order. The Giants can also lean on their running game, a pass-rush that is just as effective as San Francisco's, and their ability to win big games on the road.

Their biggest weaknessIf the front four can't pressure the quarterback, the secondary can be exposed. Of course, the defense went off on the Packers' offense, considered one of the two most explosive units in the league heading into the weekend. (In related news: the New Orleans and Green Bay have officially begun their offseason.)

A little history: the first 14 games of the regular season the Giants were 7-7, and the defense allowed 385 yards and 27 points per game. The last four contests: New York is 4-0 and has allowed 14, 14, 2 and 20 points against the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons and Packers.

And there were 4: the Conference Championships

I would like to begin by saying that I was right all along. I have been saying all season long how the Packers would not repeat as SB champs because SB champs never ever repeat. I also rebutted articles written by various cbssports writers who wrote that the Packers and Saints mighty offense cannot be stopped. Opposing teams at best can hope to contain them, but if they let up just once they will get burned. I countered by saying that in every sports championship run defense is the defining factor....yes a good or even a great offense gets all the glory, but when it comes down to it....can a team stop the other team from scoring. The Packers and Saints have been lighting up opponents all year long, but what is not mentioned much is the fact that opposing teams are also lighting up the Saints and Packers defenses.

I am a big believer in karma so early on I had written that the Lions and 49ers would meet in the NFC championship game because Jim Schwartz acted like a baby and wanted a chance to get revenge on Jim Harbaugh. As for the Ravens....well you already know why I had pegged them to face the 49ers in the SB. Brother against Brother......that's never happened in the SB. Will it happen this time? Who knows. What I do know is that there were plenty of haters and losers who had pegged the 49ers to win less games than the previous season - in which they won 6. Many skeptics and experts said the 49ers "would be lucky if they win 4 games this season". Well, the 49ers won alot more than 4 games. What can I say.....Mike Nolan really did a great job laying the foundation to a hard-hitting 49ers defense and Mike Singletary did his part (just on the offensive part). Got to hand it to Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff. They only had a few weeks to work with the Alex Smith and the 49ers and the results are impressive. Just how much better would the 49ers be if they actually had a full training camp that was erased by that silly lockout. Of course, other teams would also have had more time to practice. Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy would probably be playing much better and Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder and Jake Locker would probably not look and play as clueless as they did this season.

Since: Aug 15, 2006

Posted on: January 15, 2012 9:53 pm

And there were 4: the Conference Championships

I agree, a possible repeat of the Pats and Giants. The difference,...Brady rarely forgets, and improves with his losses.

Since: Nov 30, 2010

Posted on: January 15, 2012 9:22 pm

And there were 4: the Conference Championships

I SEE A 2007 REMATCH IN THE SB.PATS AND THE GIANTS.LETS GO1 BIUGBLUE.CRAZY TO SEE TOP SEED TEAMS DROP 15-1 MEAN NOTHING IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!